Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic polymer of tetrafluoroethylene. A sample of this material was left in intimate contact with a 1 microcurie radioisotope source of Cesium (Cs-137) for 2 weeks.
Control sample showing intact edges and opacity with minimal granularity
Irradiated sample shows unraveling of edges.
Gamma irradiation frees fluorine and depolymerizes (more accurately photoinduced polymer degradation: photolysis / photodisassociation) the PTFE into granules.
The gamma ray energies emitted by the radioisotope equal 661keV.
Control sample showing smooth, homogeneous surface and edges.
